Clock illuminating mechanism



Dec. 5, 1933. Q CURRAN 1,938,417

CLOCK ILLUMINATI N6 MECHANI SM Filed April 6, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet l FF 3] I N TOR.

| l 5 4 i 26 ATTORNEY.

Dec. 5, 1933. J. c. CURRAN CLOCK ILLUMINATING MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 6, 1931 Patented Dec. 5, 1933 PATENT OFFICE 1,938,417 v oLooK ILLUMINATING' MECHANISM JosephO. Curran, Pittsburgh, Pa. Application April 6, 1931. Serial No. 528,196

3 Claims.

'This invention relates to improvements in clockdlluminating mechanisms of the character designed to associate time and color.

Among the objects of my invention are to prol; vide new and improved means for illuminating aclock dial by means of a varying color illumination; to provide means for varying said illumination as a function of the time intervals of the clock; and to provide means for illuminating selective areas of a clock dial by means of a varying color illumination.

Further objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: x

Figs. 1,2 and 3, are face views of various types of clock dials illuminatedin accordance with my invention;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken through a clock, illustrating one form of mecha- 125 fiedform of illuminating mechanism.

In the practice of .my invention, it is desirable to select an arbitrary sequence of color values for-the purp'ose of, indicating corresponding time intervals. For example, twelve different color values may be' selected to correspond to the twelve hourly divisions or intervals on the ordinary clockdial; jj V Accordingly, I have "arranged a preferred sequence of color values based upon the elementary colors of thespectrum, including white for the hour interval from twelve'to one o'clock, and providing eleven additional color values for the remaining hours in' their respective order as 4 follows, crimson, scarlet,]deep orange, orangeyellow, yellow, yellow-green, green, blue-green, blue, violet and purple. It will be understood that various other sequences and combinations of color values may be employed.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Fig. 1, A designates a clock dial bearing the conventional, numbering to indicate the twelve hours. An hour hand 13 and aminute hand 14 are rotatably mounted centrally of the dial, and 59 are operatively connected with and rotated by the usual clockwork mechanism. Said dial is preferably formed of frosted glass or other translucent material, and the numerals thereon are constructed of opaque material or applied directly to the dial by means of opaque paint.

The hands 13 and 14 are also formed of material. I

Color. illumination may beapplied behind the translucent dial A in the manner hereinafter described, whereby the surface of the dial is um- 60 formly colored with a color value corresponding to the sequence of values selected, and depending upon the time interval. With the color illumination applied in this manner, thehands and numerals will stand out in bold relief, making the same easily read. Also, the dial will be brilliantly illuminated as shown by the vertical lines indicating the color crimson in accordance with the selected sequence of color values.

In the form of Fig. 2, the dial A and the hands 13 and 14 are preferably opaque, and the numerals are translucent. Upon the application of colored light behind said dial, the numerals will become illuminated with the desired color value.

In addition, an inner circle of translucent material 15 may be provided to give added color illumination. I I i Fig. 3 illustrates a clock dial A" illuminated from the front by means of direct light. In this form, the dial, hands and numerals are preferably formed of a semi-opaque reflecting material which will respond to the true tone of the color value applied thereto.

Thus it will be seen, that a standardized sequence of .color values may be readily applied to a clock dial in the manner described to produce an attractive as well as an efiicient means for indicating a designated time interval or a change of time interval. Various combinations of color values may be employed, and different changes of color applied in accordance with any desired series of time intervals.

For the purpose of applying the color illumination to the dails just described and particularly for imparting a varying color illumination thereto as a function of the time intervals of the clock, I have provided a color-change cylinder or drum 16 positioned below and behind the dial A. Said cylinder is preferably hollow and comprises a series of strips or panes 17 of colored glass or other suitable transparent material held in, edge-to-edge relationship between opaque head members 18 andl9 to form the wall of the 0 cylinder. I

'The strips or panes 17 may be secured to the headmembers l8 and 19 in any suitable manner. as by means, of surrounding clamping springs or rings 20, clamping the ends of said strips onto the inwardly extending seating portions 21 of the head members.

The number of the strips or panes 17 and the different colors thereof may be selected in accordance with the desired time intervals to be indicated on the clock dial A. For: example, in the form of Figs. 4 and 5, I have shown twelve strips or panes corresponding to the hoursof the clock and having differing colors as specified above. v

The head member 18 is provided with a trunnion 22 rotatable in a suitable bearing member 23 fixedly mounted in the casing 24 of the clock.

The head member 19 .is preferably constructed in the form of a ring having an extending annular flange 25 adapted to be supportedby and rotate on roller bearings 26 carried by bracketsv or bearing members 27.

An electric or other .light 28 bracket 29. for positioning centrally, within the cylinder 16 through the'annular head member 19. The bracket 29 may be secured in any desired manner to the clock casing 24, or as illustrated, may be slidable on said casing for ready" insertion or removal.

The light 28 may bBCOIlIlGCEGd. by means of I the leadwires 30 with any suitable source of within said sleeve.

electricity.

' The cylinder or drum 16 is preferably inclosed within a cover or shield 31 having an elongated aperture 32 therein. The width of the aperture 32 is sufficient to permit the light rays 33 emahating from a single strip or pane 17 to pass outwardly and upwardly to illuminate the entire dial A, and functions to shut off all other light which would otherwise pass outwardly in all directions to cause a confusion of colors. 7

The hands 13 and 14 of the clock are rotated in I their proper relationship by means of the usual mittent engagementwith a smaller miter gear 37 secured to a right angle shaft 38. The gearing ratio may be such that when the minute hand 14 has made one complete revolution, the gear 37 and shaft 38 will be rotated through one-twelfth or" a revolution. Hence, by directly connecting the shaft 38 to the'trunnion 22 ofthe cclor-change cylinder 16, as by means of pulleys.

39 of equal diameter andfa connecting belt or chain 40, the said cylinder will be rotated through one-twelfth of a revolution for each hour of time,- thereby changing; the color of illumination of the dial A by the series of color strips 17.

It will be seen that the mechanism just described may be readily applied'in front of the clock dial A for the purpose of illuminating the same in the manner of Fig. 3. Y The color-change cylinder or drum 16 will be positioned below and forwardly of the face of the dial A, and will be encased within the cover or shield 31, said shield functioning in the manner described and in additionserving as a means for hiding the said mechanism from the eye of the observer. If desired, the casing 31 may be enclosed in and form a part of the main clock casing 24.

In the form of Fig.6, I have shown a modiis mounted on a fied form of synchronous illumination, wherein a series of twelve colored electric lights 41 are connected with a source of electrical energy 43.

A contact arm 44 is electrically connected in the light circuit through the'medium of a plurality of contacting segments 45 arranged in annular configuration. The said arm 44 .is adapted to be rotated by means of the hour hand shaft 35 for successively contacting with the segments 45 to energize a colored light 41 and maintain the same lighted during the period of one hour; when the said arm is moved to the next segment for lighting the next succeeding light 41 for a difiering color illumination. Suitable reflectors may be employed forconcentrating the illumination on the rear surface of the dial A. The foregoing constructions"illustrate'means wherebyfthe color illumination of the desired sequence may be applied'to clock, structures for illuminating the same as a function of the clock mechanism. However, it will be understood that my invention is notlimited thereto, as other and independent forms of mechanism may be' employed in the'practice of my invention.

WhatI'claimis: V g

1. In a mechanism of the characterv described,

a dial, a; rotatable color-change cylinderhaving a plurality of colored transparent panes forming the Wall thereof, a light positioned within the cylinder, an enclosing coverfor the cylinder anillumiriating means for the cylinderpa shield over the cylinder having an aperture with-which the panes register so that light, may be projected upwardly and forwardly through the panes onto said diaphanous member, a timee controlled driving means, and mechanism to intermittently'rotate said cylinder to. cause the panes to successively dwell in registry with said aperture and then shift.

3. In mechanismof the; class described, a cylinder having a'series of light-,penetrable panes arrangedin a complete cycle and each of a dife ferent color, means to interiorly illuminate the cylinder, shielding means about the cylinder having an aperture with which the panes register, a dial onto which light is projected through the panes when in registry with said aperture, a time-controlled driving means, and

mechanism operated by said driving means to intermittently rotate said cylinder to cause the panes to successively dwell in registry with said aperture and then shift.

JOSEPH c. CURRAN. 

